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Technology Stocks : Qwest Communications (Q) (formerly QWST) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (1282)	5/19/1998 11:19:00 AM
From: MangoBoy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

Frank, should MFNX really be considered a CLEC? they seem to be more of a dark fiber wholesaler...

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (1282)	5/19/1998 11:24:00 AM
From: Rashe W. Stephens III	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

Not a lawyer, but... An interesting ruling on Friday in a BellSouth case may prove to help QWST's partnerships with U S West and Ameritech. Please see the following link for details. msnbc.com Essentially, BellSouth is trying to offer electronic subscription services. The Telecom Act prevents RBOCs from doing so. They are using a similar argument that SBC is using to try to get into LD--basically a wide-sweeping law cannot discriminate against a specific company. The court rejected the claim, but said "BellSouth was free under the law (Telecom Act)to offer electronic services through a joint venture or separate subsidiary." It would seem that this would apply to the RBOC's LD situation. The loophole in the Telecom Act says they can't offer LD until they satisfy 271 (which none have to date). But, they can market a unaffiliated company's LD. Just like they are free to pursue a joint venture or separate subsidiary offering for electronic services. Again, I'm not a lawyer. Tried to make a parallel. In my simplicity I'm sure I overlooked something. But it would seem to be a logical conclusion. Anyone more familiar with the Telecom Act or telecom law? Does this ruling give the QWST alliances a stronger leg to stand on?